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Deflection of A Wire

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Prequisite Knowledge
Deformation Due To Axial Loading

Problem
A steel wire of length 3.2 ft, diameter 1/8", and E = 29 x 10⁶ psi, is subjected to a 450-lb tensile load. Determine the deflection of the wire.

Solution

Only one equation is needed - the equation for deflection.

First, the cross-sectional area of the wire is found.

A =

π(0.125 in)2 4

= 0.01227 in2

Now the deflection can be found, taking into account the 12 in / ft for unit conversion for the 3.2 ft length:

δ =	(450 lb)(3.2 ft)(12 in / ft) (0.01227 in2)(29 x 106 psi)

δ = 0.04856 in

Therefore, the wire stretches by an amount of 0.04856 in for the given conditions.